Self-immolations by Tibetans

Last Updated: September 22, 2014, 10:04 EST

This list provides summary details of the self-immolations by Tibetans in the PRC since February, 2009 (all except one, by a Tibetan woman in Beijing, have taken place in Tibet). A list below provides details of self-immolations by Tibetans in exile.

The Chinese authorities in Tibet have intensified measures to prevent information reaching the outside world about the self-immolations. This has been combined with a more aggressive and formalized response to the self-immolations, involving harsh sentencing and torture for those suspected of involvement, even if that is simply bearing witness. Due to this climate, it is impossible for this list to be fully comprehensive, and it is indicated on the list where circumstances of the self-immolations are not fully known.

The first self-immolation in Tibetan society in the modern era took place in exile in Delhi, India, on April 27, 1998, when Thubten Ngodrup set himself on fire – and later died – as a Tibetan Youth Congress hunger strike was broken up by Indian police. Since then, five more Tibetans have set fire to themselves in exile, detailed in the enclosed list.

Kalsang Wangdu

Info: “[While he burned], he called out for Tibet’s complete independence,” a Tibetan source told RFA, adding that witnesses to Wangdu’s protest “intervened,” intending to take him to Sichuan’s provincial capital for treatment.He carried out his self-immolation around 4pm by his monastery, the Retsokha Aryaling monastery. (RFA report,A Tibetan monk named Kalsang Wangdu, aged 18, has died after setting himself on fire on February 29 (2016) in Nyarong County in Kardze (Chinese: Ganzi), eastern Tibet, according to Radio Free Asia. (RFA report,http://www.rfa.org/english/news/tibet/burns-03012016164905.html).

Kalsang Yeshe

Date: December 23, 2014Protest location: Tawu, the Tibetan area of KhamAge: Late twenties or thirties

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Info: A Tibetan monk known for his work teaching others about Buddhism set fire to himself and died today in Tawu, the Tibetan area of Kham, according to reports from Tibetans in exile. According to the same sources, Kalsang Yeshe self-immolated near a police station that had been established recently by his monastery, Nyitso, where repression of monks and local people has been particularly intense in recent years.

Tseypey

Date: December 22, 2014Protest location: Center of a town in Ngaba (Chinese: Aba), the Tibetan area of AmdoAge: 19

Current whereabouts/wellbeing: Deceased

Info: She was identified by exile sources as Tseypey, the fourth of six children from a family in Meruma township, and the same sources say that she died on the scene.

Tseypey was described by Tibetans who knew her as “well-behaved, honest and gentle”, according to Kirti monks in exile in Dharamsala. She had not received a formal education but grew up working as a herder with her parents. According to the same sources, her 60 year old father and 50 year old mother have reportedly been taken away by police, but it is not clear whether they have been detained.

Panchen Lama vigil outside Bath Abbey #Tibet #FreeThePanchenLama @Wera_Hobhouse @HongKongFP @shakleton13 @Jeremy_Hunt. He is 30 years old but has not been seen since he was 6. Taken by the Chinese Government.

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.